Bachelor of Arts in Theatre

Our students become well-rounded scholars who understand theatre and other fields, and find satisfying careers as actors, educators, stage managers, producers, lighting or sound designers and costume directors.

From acting to costume technology, our theatre program offers a broad-based BA program intended for students interested in theatre, as well as other areas of study. As theatre majors, our students get to explore artistic discipline, creativity, critical insight and interpersonal communication. We encourage students to produce their own work and get involved in activities ranging from participation in productions to presentation of individual creative work.

  • Gain skills in all aspects of theatre, including acting, directing, costume design and musical theatre
  • Learn how to share society’s stories on the stage
  • Explore stage technologies like scenery, lighting and sound

Join OnStage, our dynamic student performing arts group that produces the annual CU Fringe Festival as well as individual productions, guest artist residencies and workshops

Work alongside professionals of the Colorado Shakespeare Company each summer

Gain internship experience with professional theatre organizations, including the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company and Dairy Center for the Arts

Be successful.

A BA in theatre equips students with the knowledge and skills needed to artfully contribute to today’s culturally plural society.

 
$53,800

Median salary of CU Boulder theatre students 1–5 years after graduation

 

Actor, educator, stage manager, producer, lighting or sound designer and costume director are common opportunities for graduates

 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that 2016–26 job growth for actors will be 12%, compared with the 7% average for all jobs

Academic Plan & Requirements

In addition to completing the core requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences, the BA degree program in theatre requires 44 credit hours in theatre, including:

  • 3 credit hours in dance
  • 6 credit hours in dramatic literature and/or global arts outside the department

Additional degree options for theatre students include: 

  • Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in theatre: For talented students interested in a professional career in theatre, we offer the BFA program, which provides students with a specialized and rigorous theatre curriculum. 
  • Bachelor’s-accelerated master’s: A combined bachelor's (BA) and master's (MA) degree is offered for highly motivated undergraduate students. The BA/MA program allows students to take advanced courses at an accelerated pace, engage in an independent research project and obtain both degrees in five years.

Community & Involvement

We offer students many opportunities to network with peers and faculty, further their studies, and get the most out of their undergraduate experience.

Be inspired.

The Department of Theatre and Dance has an extensive list of alumni working and performing in a variety of fields across the globe.

Some alumni of the program include:

Hayley Gocha

Co-chair of the Youth Assembly at the United Nations in 2016 and co-founder of Bee the Change. She is an Atlas Corps fellow with the Ministry of Education in Bogota, Colombia.

Producer at New York’s and in 2014 was director of audience engagement for the Broadway show Allegiance.

Chris Parnell

Co-president of Sony Pictures Television.

News & Stories

College of Arts & Sciences magazine cover